Page 8 of Redeeming the Outlaw
As she drifted off to sleep, Esther prayed for guidance and discernment. She knew God often worked in mysterious ways, calling people to walk unexpected paths. If He wanted her to reach out to Whit despite the risks, she prayed for the courage to follow His lead.
Chapter Three
Esther was standing next to the counter looking at the display of hair ribbons, while waiting for her turn to talk to Mr. Arden, when Mrs. Arden approached her. The Ardens owned the mercantile and had been in Flat River since the first group of settlers arrived. This made her as old as the dinosaurs, as far as Esther was concerned, even though Mrs. Arden couldn’t be much older than Ma or Mrs. Chapman. Mrs. Arden, however, had a kind heart, even if she did like to indulge in a bit of gossip.
“I thought you might like this,” Mrs. Arden said, slipping an item into Esther’s basket.
“What is it?” Esther’s hand reached in, and she flipped the item over, her eyes widened in surprise.Black Bess; or the Knight of the Road: The Complete Storiesthe cover read.“Really?” Her excitement was palpable as she ran her thumbover the raised design on the cover.
“Dillon purchased it for me from the mail-order catalog. I stayed up all night reading it. Ellie Chapman just returned it because Owen was done with it. There are nearly three hundred episodes of Dick Turbin’s exploits in here.”
“Three hundred? Why so many?”
“It was published as a weekly serial in a newspaper. Each episode is like a chapter.”
“How wonderful. It will take me many nights to read. Who is Black Bess?” Esther eagerly opened the novelette and carefully turned each page. The illustrations were intricate and captivating. A man dressed in elaborate baroque clothing sat confidently on a sleek black horse, brandishing a single shot pistol toward a cowering stagecoach driver. The details were so mesmerizing she couldn’t help but stare at the scene for a few moments longer before continuing with the story.SPLENDID COLOURED PICTURE: DICK TURPIN LEAPS BLACK BESS OVER ...The rest of the words were missing. “Why are the words misspelled?”
“The spellings are proper British spellings. Black Bess was the mount of Dick Turbin, a notorious highwayman with a humble upbringing who turned to a life of thievery.”
Esther tugged on her lower lip with her teeth. “Like an outlaw?”
“No. Like a highwayman.”
“Isn’t that the same thing? Is there romance?” Esther asked hopefully.
“Yes.” Rose gave a knowing smile.
“Kissing?”
Mrs. Arden laughed. “You’ll have to read it for yourself.”
“You won’t tell Papa, will you?”
“Just return it when you are done. I’m sure there are others in the town who would like to read it as well.” Rose pointed to a small corner of the store. “I took Naomi’s suggestion. She said it came from you.”
“My suggestion?” With fumbling hands, Esther carefully tucked the small tome into the inside pocket of her worn paletot. She made sure it was secure, giving it a reassuring pat and adjusting the fabric to keep it from falling out. Her anticipation grew as she thought about getting home to dive into the new story.
“There is a little nook where folks can share books until the book canvasser makes her way back around.”
When Esther looked, she noticed one small shelf where canned goods used to be lined with several books of varying sizes and thicknesses. Shoved between the various publications were the penny novels Esther loved so much.
Unable to contain her excitement, she let out a delighted squeal. “This is a treasure trove for the whole town!”
“Most of the books came from my collection, but I’m hoping many of the people in town will step up and donate a few they no longer read. I know Ingrid is planning on dropping a few off later this week.”
“Then I will return this one when I’m done. Once Ruth and Naomi have finished with the penny novel I’m currently reading, I’ll add it to your collection.”
“That sounds just fine.”
“Rose,” Mr. Arden called. “Can you help Mrs. Clark?”
“Of course, husband. I’ll see you at services on Sunday.” Mrs. Arden gave Esther’s arm a pat before moving toward the second counter. “June! What a lovely fabric you’ve chosen. Is this for the girls?”
Esther touched the book through the fabric once more and smiled as she moved to the counter. “Mama asked me to drop this off to you, Mr. Arden.” She pulled a folded paper from the basket and placed it on the counter.
“I saw you eyeing the ribbons. Those are new. Would you like one?”
Esther shook her head. “Not today, thank you. I’ll mention it to Papa, though.” She reached a gloved finger out and touched one of them. “They are beautiful.”
